The Hawks

The Hawks

The Hawks were a post-punk and new wave band formed in Birmingham, UK, in 1979. The group comprised Paul Adams, Simon Colley, Dave Twist, Dave Kusworth, and Stephen Duffy.

Formation and Early Years

The band's origins trace back to the Birmingham post-punk scene. Following the dissolution of TV Eye, a Stooges-inspired garage punk outfit, Dave Twist (drums), Dave Kusworth (guitar), and Paul Adams (guitar) sought to form a new project. They joined forces with Stephen Duffy and Simon Colley, who had been part of the initial lineup of Duran Duran. Initially named Obviously Five Believers, the band evolved through The Subterranean Hawks before ultimately settling on The Hawks.

Career and Legacy

Despite a relatively short lifespan, The Hawks garnered a devoted following among those who witnessed their performances. The band was prolific in the studio, producing a single highly sought-after release, "Words Of Hope." The Hawks disbanded around Christmas 1981, marked by internal conflict. Stephen Duffy later reflected that the band proved the difficulty of sustaining a rock and roll career in the 1980s, particularly within a city lacking the established support networks of other major music hubs.

Post-Hawks Activities and Archival Release

Following the band's split, members pursued individual musical paths. Stephen Duffy found success with his solo work and later with The Lilac Time. Dave Kusworth collaborated with Nikki Sudden and numerous other projects, often alongside former Hawks drummer Dave Twist. In 2019, Duffy and Kusworth discussed the band's extensive tape archive, with Duffy promising a future release of the recordings. Sadly, Dave Kusworth passed away in September 2020 before this could happen. Honoring his friend, Stephen Duffy proceeded with the release of ten previously unissued Hawks tracks. These recordings, preserved on cassette for four decades, were professionally remastered by Grammy-winning engineer John Paterno and the album was released in September 2021.